Bricsys® and BIMcollab have announced this month the integration of the BIMcollab BIM Collaboration Format (BCF) API (application programming interface) into BricsCAD BIM V20.
Adding BCF to BricsCAD BIM
This new integration adds a new BCF panel in the BricsCAD BIM V20 software, enabling users in AEC workflows to connect to the popular BIMcollab platform through this open API supporting one of the key buildingSMART Open BIM initiatives for improved interoperability in the global AECO industry.
Key Takeaway
Bricsys and KUBUS out of the gate early on buildingSMART’s new BCF-API. The new integration gives the young BricsCAD BIM app a state-of-the-art connection to a very popular CDE tool in BIMcollab.
The connected panel lets users view, open, and manage BIM model issues directly inside of the BricsCAD BIM software environment, simultaneously working on a BIM model.
BIMcollab’s new BCF API is based on the buildingSMART open standards, to improve communication workflows across the AECO industry’s large range of BIM tools, smoothing workflows between various stakeholders collaborating on projects.
The new BIMcollab integration with BricsCAD BIM V20 adds new BCF workflow to the rising BIM challenger.
Bricsys notes that it is proud to be one of the first BIM authoring applications to boast this particular integration of the BFC workflow with the popular BIMcollab suite of collaboration tools.
Details
Using the new BCF panel, the BricsCAD BIM user can select an issue and have associated model elements automatically appear highlighted in the main window. The workflow streamlines communication of design issues without the added hassle of sending emails and attachments back and forth via traditional channels. Users can also add comments to model issues stored on the BIMcollab server and can change the status of the issue notifications.
Architosh Analysis and Commentary
Readers may recall in our recent feature on UK architecture firm, Assael, their use of BIMcollab as part of their BIM collaboration workflow. The tool is popular in EU countries as a CDE (common data environment) tool. KUBUS recently back in November announced its support for the new BCF-API link to tie into BIM authoring applications like BricsCAD BIM.
The BCF-API was actually created by buildingSMART to aid the support of exchanging BCF issue data via a RESTful web interface, a technology ideally suited for web and mobile applications. We expect this BCF-API from buildingSMART to be further adopted throughout the industry in 2020 and beyond. More about the BCF-API can be found here at GitHub.
To see in more detail watch the video below.
